Associate Director, Therapeutic Development
McKesson
USA, TN, Remote
Full-Time
Competitive
RemoteDirector
It’s More Than a Career, It’s a Mission.
Our people are the foundation of our success. By joining our growing team at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a subsidiary of McKesson, you will have the opportunity to become part of one of the largest community-based cancer programs to advance oncology treatments and improve outcomes for cancer patients across the globe. We look for mission-driven candidates who have a desire to advance the fight against cancer and make a difference in the lives of patients diagnosed with cancer every day.
Our Mission
People who live with cancer – those who work to prevent it, fight it, and survive it – are at the heart of every decision we make. Bringing the most innovative medical minds together with the most passionate caregivers in their communities, we are transforming care and personalizing treatment. Through clinical excellence and cutting-edge research, SCRI is redefining cancer care around the world.
Provide scientific leadership and operational oversight for early-phase Therapeutic Development programs. This role manages Clinical Program Scientists and is responsible for driving program execution, ensuring scientific rigor, and supporting the development and advancement of research strategies aligned to SCRI research priorities.
This position operates as a working manager, balancing people leadership, scientific direction, and program execution in support of early-phase clinical research.
Dutiesinclude but are not limited to:
Program & Scientific Leadership
Provide oversight and direction for Therapeutic Development programs, with a focus on early-phase (Phase I/Ib) clinical research initiatives
Guide scientific strategy in partnership with Physician Leaders, ensuring programs align with disease strategy and pipeline priorities
Review and provide input on:
Clinical development plans (CDPs)
Study feasibility and evaluation
Protocol-related scientific considerations
Lead program-level discussions and contribute to decision-making across study prioritization, pipeline gaps, and research opportunities
Team Leadership
Directly manage and develop a team of Clinical Program Scientists (CPS)
Provide coaching, prioritization guidance, and performance management
Ensure appropriate workload distribution across programs and initiatives
Partner with leadership on hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development of CPS team members
Serve as the primary escalation point for scientific/program-related challenges
Program Execution & Oversight
Oversee execution of key program activities led by CPS team, including:
Study evaluation workflows and tracking
Scientific materials (slide decks, summaries, literature reviews)
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across all scientific deliverables
Identify gaps in processes and implement improvements to optimize efficiency and program outcomes
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with:
Clinical Operations
Lead Management/Study Activation
Business Development / Sponsors
Physician Program Leaders
Development Innovations
Facilitate communication across stakeholders to ensure alignment on program goals and study priorities
Represent Therapeutic Development in internal and external discussions as needed
Strategic & Operational Contributions
Support development of early-phase pipeline strategy and trial positioning
Contribute to internal planning discussions related to:
Site capabilities
Study gaps and opportunities
Competitive landscape
Provide updates to leadership on program progress, risks, and performance
Mandatory:The following are mandatory expectations of all SCRIemployees.
Practices and adheres to the “Code of Conduct” philosophy and “Mission and Value Statement.”
During your employment with SCRI,you will be routinely assigned training requirements. You are expected to complete any training assignments by the due date.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master's Degree required; PhD preferred
7+ years of experience working in a scientific capacity within clinical research
People leadership and team development experience required
Strong understanding of oncology drug development, particularly early-phase trials
Knowledge of clinical research processes (Phase I–III), with emphasis on study design and feasibility
Ability to interpret and apply scientific literature to program strategy
Strategic thinking with operational follow-through
Strong communication and stakeholder management
Ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced environment
Balance scientific rigor with execution needs
Influence without direct authority across functions
Adapt quickly to evolving program priorities
This is a remote position based in the United States. Preference will be given to candidates located in the Nashville, TN area or those able to commute to our Nashville home office one day per week. Relocation and visa sponsorship are not available.
Interested candidates should submit their application through https://www.scri.com/careers/. Applications will be accepted through July 6th, 2026. Please ensure all required materials are included as outlined in the posting.
About Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) is one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. Focused on advancing therapies for patients over the last three decades, SCRI is a leader in drug development. In 2022, SCRI formed a joint venture with former US Oncology Research to expand clinical trial access across the country. It has conducted more than 850 first-in-human clinical trials since its inception and contributed to pivotal research that has led to the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA in the past decade. SCRI’s research network brings together more than 1,300 physicians who are enrolling patients into clinical trials at more than 200 locations in 20+ states across the U.S. Please click here to learn more about our research offerings.
We care about the well-being of the patients and communities we serve, and that starts with caring for our people. That’s why we have a Total Rewards package that includes comprehensive benefits to support physical, mental, and financial well-being. Our Total Rewards offerings serve the different needs of our diverse colleague population and ensure they are the healthiest versions of themselves. For more information regarding benefits through our parent company, McKesson, please click here.
As part of Total Rewards, we are proud to offer a competitive compensation package. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered.
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